Feel Nothing, Lincoln

29

     We woke up to a beautiful blue sky. The clouds ran with grace. It was a nice day. We all walked for another few miles, and finally, we came to a very exciting sign. It read: "Welcome to Indiana." I let out a sigh of exhaustion. PB swung himself around in celebratory circles, which made Alli giggle. "Don't celebrate just yet" I told them. "Cops can still arrest us. In fact, if they do find us, they'll probably drag us back to Michigan an add another charge. We can show our faces, just don't draw too much attention to yourselves. Mainly you, Alli. After all, nobody can see PB except for us. Everybody understand?" Alli and PB both nodded like children listening to their mother. "Good. Then, my friends, welcome to Indiana." Looking around, it doesn't look all that different, but in the context of our situation, maybe Indiana had a special charm to it. A warmth that clued us into its safety. We could view it less as a state and more as a safe haven. I didn't mention anything about it to them, but I do have several plans for us while we stay in Indiana. The first plan I want to put into action is fairly difficult, but I bet I can work a simple solution. I want to leave Alli. I want to drop her off at an orphanage or anywhere else that's willing to take her in.

     You can imagine why that's hard. They'll probably ask me for my information when I drop her off and then they'll see my name pasted across the internet. Also, I doubt Alli wants to leave our group. She seems to be having a bunch of fun, which I wish I could share but I cannot. If I just left her somewhere, she might try and run away to go find me. She'll draw attention to herself, and perhaps even me. That is the last thing I want to happen. I think what I'll do is the next time Alli falls asleep, I'll make an anonymous call and say a kid is by herself. Then I'll leave, and the authorities will take her to whatever safe place is open for her. I feel someone poke my leg, and when I look down I see Alli. "I'm hungry" she says, continuing to poke and prod at me. "Alright, for God's sake, we'll go eat." After a short meal at a cheap restaurant, we go find another spot to lie down (under another tree, behind a line of houses). PB and Alli curl up and fall asleep. I stay awake though. I check my pockets. "Damn," I mutter. "Of course I don't have a phone on me." I walk up through the houses and find a man on the sidewalk. "Do you mind if I make a quick call?" They say "no problem" and hand it over to me.

"Yeah I'd like to report a child by herself. She says she doesn't have parents. I think it's best if you guys get over here and take her somewhere safe. Thank you."

Before the operator on the other end can speak, I've already hung up. Sorry Alli, but it's for your own good and mine.